Interested in exploring Oklahoma’s storied history?
Metropolitan Library System has curated numerous Oklahoma resources, so you’re bound to strike information gold. Our Special Collections department maintains the Oklahoma Collection which is located in the Oklahoma Room on the 2nd floor of the Downtown Library. The collection contains books about Oklahoma and Oklahomans, or those written by Oklahomans, as well as maps, photos and other documents useful to the understanding of Oklahoma history.
Don’t forget to check out our newly reformatted Digital Special Collection for Oklahoma-related content that is only available at Metro.
Blogs
Midwest City: Oklahoma's First Model Aviation Town
Take a trip back in time to the founding of Midwest City with our new mini exhibit! Now on display in the Oklahoma Room at the Downtown Library, guests can view a variety of materials showcasing the history of Midwest City when it became an official neighborhood in the southeast area of Oklahoma ...
March is Women's History Month
Throughout the month of March, Special Collections and Research is celebrating the impact of women throughout history and today!
We are spotlighting women who have forged their own paths and dedicated their lives to the arts, education, aviation, civic engagement, and the war effort. ...
Events
Join biographer Betty Blanks as she shares some of Wilma McDaniel's poetry, and her story moving from Oklahoma to California during the Dust Bowl.
Preserving Oklahoma History with the Black Living Legacy App
Learn about Oklahoma City's Black historical sites, legacies, and artifacts through this introduction to the Black Living Legacies app.
Come join Ralph Ellison Library for an educational scavenger hunt about OKC metro landmarks! Find all the pictures of the landmarks hidden around the library and you can earn a prize!
*Prizes available while supplies last.
Disclaimer(s)
It is encouraged that an adult supervise children while using this Metropolitan Library System Take & Make Kit.
Come join Ralph Ellison Library for an educational scavenger hunt about OKC metro landmarks! Find all the pictures of the landmarks hidden around the library and you can earn a prize!
*Prizes available while supplies last.
Disclaimer(s)
It is encouraged that an adult supervise children while using this Metropolitan Library System Take & Make Kit.
The Oklahoma Hall of Fame | Gaylord Pickens Museum proudly presents Oklahoma Originals. This educational program for 1st - 5th grade students is rooted in the story of Ralph Waldo Ellison, an author, essayist, musician, photographer, and scholar.
Lost History, Arts Edition: Rediscovering Tales of Oklahoma's Past
Rediscover tales of Oklahoma's past (and present!) in this exciting discussion series led by local Oklahoma historians and artists. Each week, we will rediscover a new aspect of Oklahoma history you probably didn't cover in your Oklahoma His
Databases
A to Z Maps Online
Provides access to over 100,000 various types of maps for the U.S., world countries and continents. A to Z Maps Online contains a large number of specialized maps like antique maps, bathymetric and fishing maps, climate change maps, environmental maps, geography and geology maps, Holy Land maps, tree and bird distribution maps, and more. It also contains flags from world countries and international organizations.
A to Z the USA
This database contains state, county and city information for all U.S. states and territories. It lists facts and statistics about arts and culture, climate and weather, demographics, flags and seals, government and politics, history, maps, photos, and more.
A to Z World Travel
Contains travel guides for over 200 world cities. Each guide contains helpful information about a particular city's food and restaurants, climate and weather, embassies/consulates, health and medical services, travel essentials, money and banking, electrical and telecommunication requirements, and more.
Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids
An educational tool intended to teach K-12 students about our nation’s Federal government, history and political structure. Provided by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.
OK2Explore
Ok2Explore is a free searchable index of births and deaths that occurred in the state of Oklahoma. Included is limited information on births occurring more than 20 years ago and deaths occurring more than 5 years ago. You may search the index using any combination of the subject’s name, date of event (birth or death), county of event, and sex.
Oklahoma News Sources
Provides full-text access to dozens of local, statewide, and college/university newspapers and transcripts from television stations across Oklahoma. Includes full-text and image editions of The Oklahoman and Tulsa World, including today’s full-color, digital edition of The Oklahoman.
Collections
Metro Library Podcast
Offering Oklahoma-themed podcasts celebrating Oklahoma arts, culture and history as well as the lives of influential Oklahomans today, the Metro Library Podcast is produced by the Special Collections of the Metropolitan Library System.